Memorial Day Basics
U.S. Military History
Symbols and Traditions
Famous Memorials
Patriotic Grab Bag
100

This holiday honors U.S. military members who died while serving

What is Memorial Day?

100

This branch of the military is known for its motto “Semper Fidelis.”

What is the Marine Corps?

100

This flower is commonly worn or displayed to remember fallen service members.

What is the red poppy?

100

This memorial in Washington, D.C., lists the names of more than 58,000 Americans who died or went missing in the Vietnam War.

What is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial?

100

This song begins with “O say can you see.”

What is “The Star-Spangled Banner”?

200

Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of this month.

What is May?

200

This war led to the creation of Decoration Day, the predecessor to Memorial Day.

What is the Civil War?

200

This bugle call is traditionally played at military funerals and memorial ceremonies.

What is “Taps”?

200

This cemetery in Virginia is one of America’s most famous military cemeteries.

What is Arlington National Cemetery?

200

This is the common outdoor meal style many Americans associate with Memorial Day weekend.

What is a barbecue or cookout?

300

Memorial Day was originally known by this name.

What is Decoration Day?

300

This U.S. conflict began after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

What is World War II?

300

Americans are encouraged to pause for remembrance at this local time on Memorial Day.

What is 3:00 p.m.?

300

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is located in this cemetery.

What is Arlington National Cemetery?

300

Many towns hold these public events featuring veterans, bands, flags, and community groups.

What are Memorial Day parades?

400

This is the major difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

What is Memorial Day honors those who died in service, while Veterans Day honors all who served?

400

This U.S. war was fought from 1950 to 1953 on a divided Asian peninsula.

What is the Korean War?

400

On Memorial Day, flags are flown at half-staff until this time of day, then raised to full-staff.

What is noon?

400

This Washington, D.C., memorial honors Americans who served in the Second World War.

What is the World War II Memorial?

400

This unofficial seasonal change is often associated with Memorial Day weekend in the United States.

What is the start of summer?

500

This city is officially recognized by the federal government as the birthplace of Memorial Day.

What is Waterloo, New York?

500

This battle, fought in 1944, was the largest amphibious invasion in history.

What is D-Day / the Normandy invasion?

500

The red poppy became a remembrance symbol largely because of this World War I poem.

What is “In Flanders Fields”?

500

This memorial depicts six Marines raising the American flag on Iwo Jima.

What is the Marine Corps War Memorial / Iwo Jima Memorial?

500

On Memorial Day, many families visit cemeteries to place these on graves.

What are flags?